What the F@%!

[Conserative Morality]

There is a difference between creating another legislative house and splitting an executive body.

Explain it to me. Explain why splitting a legislative body and a government agency is so different, other than one requires far more trouble to change.

[Huntersunited]

I agree that other people's tastes shouldn't dictate the law, yes. Currently, my tastes ARE the law. It's other people's tastes that would change it at this point.

Call it a lack of confidence in the entertainment industry. Technically, I should trust the market's ability to provide censored channels for those of us who want them without government interference, and TBH I doubt most channels would change their formats to more vulgar ones even if those prohibitions were lifted. Even so, as I said, I think the more extreme sources of language, violence and sex in the media are a premium people should have to buy.

Charging people extra merely because you have a difference in taste with them. Wow.

Hi CM, how are you today? I'm not doing so well. I hurt my foot last night and I'm in pain and I have a really low threshold for bullshit. So, I'm going to try to make this short and sweet.

You do NOT have a right to entertainment. Entertainment costs money. You have to pay for it. If you want something that's uncommon you have to pay more. Such is life.

Well, we have the right of pursuit of happiness, and maybe my happiness is T.V. and censorship is stopping me from pursuing it.

The pursuit of happiness? REALLY? You think you have a right to TV?
The pursuit of happiness meant you could own land, have certain freedoms, and be able to own your own business. It did not mean the rest of us have to support your wish for raw language or porn on free television.

Go. Buy. Cable.

What if you had to buy cable to have censorship, how would you feel?

If that is what I wanted, then yes, I would buy the "I will never ever be offended channel."

But given that television is not a right, and that from the beginnings of it in the US it was decided that certain things were not appropriate family fare, I have no problem with the current system.

It's actually relaxed quite a bit from the time when you couldn't say a woman was pregnant, or show a married couple had a single bed. And you can have swearing and nudity on TV -- NYPD Blue was famous for it. There are ratings which show you what is appropriate for each age group.... and there are alternatives for those who want adult programming. What YOU want is for fewer people's preferences to be taken into consideration. It's selfish.

Me being selfish? check the god damn poll. 49% said no to censorship.

[New Limacon]

If children are citizens just like us, then why can't they vote? They don't have the same rights as us, and for gods sake, I should not have to pay for shows because the government censors the word "fuck". What's the big deal about that word? I hear children say it all the time, it's not like they've never heard it before.

It's pretty clearly profane. You're right, no one is physically hurt by hearing it, and it's not evil in of itself, but it is meant to connote anger or vulgarity. There are a lot of worse things a child could see on television, but there's no point in acting innocent about why people wouldn't want to hear it. In time it may lose some of its edge, like "damn" or "Oh my God," but most people still consider bad enough to limit (even if they use it themselves).

[Conserative Morality]

It's pretty clearly profane. You're right, no one is physically hurt by hearing it, and it's not evil in of itself, but it is meant to connote anger or vulgarity. There are a lot of worse things a child could see on television, but there's no point in acting innocent about why people wouldn't want to hear it. In time it may lose some of its edge, like "damn" or "Oh my God," but most people still consider bad enough to limit (even if they use it themselves).

I, for one, do not support state supported hypocrisy.

[United Dependencies]

There is a difference between creating another legislative house and splitting an executive body.

Explain it to me. Explain why splitting a legislative body and a government agency is so different, other than one requires far more trouble to change.

Its like having a war department and a defense department. Sure the jobs could technically be different but seeing as both have to do with the military it is more effcient to have everything done by one department.

[United Dependencies]

I said "cognitive and motor skills of a three year old" to show it didn't require much. There are plenty of things a parent wouldn't want an eight year old to see, though kids at that age are usually given more freedom.
And yes, it is impossible to set time restrictions and unplug the TV if your kid ever leaves the house. Have you ever been in a waiting room? At a friend's house? In an annoyingly TV-filled restaurant?* If TV a kid sees could really be limited to what is shown at his home, I doubt there would be as many restrictions.

*Seriously, why do they do that? Do they worry their diners lack the social competence necessary to take part in dinner conversation?

I doubt that Waiting Rooms and Family Restaurants would be showing porn.

Depends on what your waiting for .

[New Limacon]

I doubt that Waiting Rooms and Family Restaurants would be showing porn.

I'm already pretty angry they have any TV at all, so I wouldn't put it past them.

[Conserative Morality]

Its like having a war department and a defense department. Sure the jobs could technically be different but seeing as both have to do with the military it is more effcient to have everything done by one department.

Tell me about the ability of the Department of Defense to commit to limited invasions without prior approval from Congress or the President.

[The Parkus Empire]

But given that television is not a right, and that from the beginnings of it in the US it was decided that certain things were not appropriate family fare, I have no problem with the current system.

And sometimes the government is too restrictive.

What YOU want is for fewer people's preferences to be taken into consideration. It's selfish.

That's right. When the many oppress the few, things have to be changed. T.V.'s aren't built-in appliances we're forced to watch, they're entertainment devices that have to be bought. I don't own one and nobody else has to, either. If parents are worried about their toddlers but still want a T.V., then they should get T.V.'s that can block channels.

[Linux and the X]

Well, for one thing I don't care for porn, I just don't think the government should tell us what to say.

And they aren't. So, good day.

ANYONE WITH A RADIO STATION: Swear on-air. Smunkee says it's okay!

[Katganistan]

Yes.
I pay for cable. I can watch Comedy central and whatever their comedians say.
I don't like sports. I don't pay extra for sports. Wonderful system that.

You've considered all the ramifications of having a Federal government body that can censor what it likes, at will, without any bills needing to be pushed over in the Senate, under the name of decency?

You've considered that porn and swearing is not a necessity or a right?

It was a law created by the legislative body. Go complain to them.
Congressional statute 47 USC 151
For the purpose of regulating interstate and foreign commerce in communication by wire and radio so as to make available, so far as possible, to all the people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, a rapid, efficient, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges, for the purpose of the national defense, for the purpose of promoting safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communications, and for the purpose of securing a more effective execution of this policy by centralizing authority heretofore granted by law to several agencies and by granting additional authority with respect to interstate and foreign commerce in wire and radio communication, there is created a commission to be known as the “Federal Communications Commission”, which shall be constituted as hereinafter provided, and which shall execute and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

Oh dear, maybe the reason what you want is not available for free is because it is not suitable for all ages, and the law clearly says it has to be provided to all people without discrimination? Hmmmmm.

[Huntersunited]

If children are citizens just like us, then why can't they vote? They don't have the same rights as us, and for gods sake, I should not have to pay for shows because the government censors the word "fuck". What's the big deal about that word? I hear children say it all the time, it's not like they've never heard it before.

It's pretty clearly profane. You're right, no one is physically hurt by hearing it, and it's not evil in of itself, but it is meant to connote anger or vulgarity. There are a lot of worse things a child could see on television, but there's no point in acting innocent about why people wouldn't want to hear it. In time it may lose some of its edge, like "damn" or "Oh my God," but most people still consider bad enough to limit (even if they use it themselves).

sure people don't want to hear it. and do you know why? Because people call it a "bad word". All it is is a stronger word that you can use to express your opinion. For example, "I am so fucking happy right now!" does that sound negative to you? mIt's alot more effective than saying, " I am really happy right now!" And if you put it the other way, " I fucking hate exams" sounds stronger than 'I hate exams."

[Liberal-Finns]

i too have grown tired of government censorship, IMO you should be allowed to say and show what u want when u want

[New Limacon]

I, for one, do not support state supported hypocrisy.

How is it hypocrisy? I am sure a majority of people would agree that "fuck" is a swear word. Out of this majority, there are plenty that use it themselves, but limit it to certain circumstances, such as when there are no eight year olds around. You can't control when the TV says it.

[Ubernoobasaurus]

Except for the fact that despite watching tv shows at times when there weren't many "children's shows" when I was younger, most of the inappropriate things I saw were on the internet. I simply stuck to channels that were "child friendly" as I had been taught. These channels, as they have what is basically a guaranteed audience, will not seek to alienate their customers by adding obscene material in. So yes at that one bizarre time when I was awake at 1 am and had cable I saw nothing obscene. The one time when I did see something rather violent on TV was when my uncle changed the channel to it on purposes... guess he forgot we were sitting right there?

So I honestly don't think lack of censorship = kids being traumatized.... I mean... when you compare the stuff they show on the most obscene television networks to the stuff you can find on the internet? Considering as well the fact that more and more people are letting their young children surf the web how can you account for what they have and have not seen and what should and should not be there that they could accidentally bump into?

Also I do believe somebody used respectable and candidate in the same sentence. You sir/madam are silly

[Conserative Morality]

You've considered that porn and swearing is not a necessity or a right?

First Amendment. Swearing goes under that, and I'm fairly sure Pornographic material does as well.

It was a law created by the legislative body. Go complain to them.

You're defending it, so I'll stick with complaining to you until I believe my arguments are refined enough to complain to the Senate.

Congressional statute 47 USC 151
For the purpose of regulating interstate and foreign commerce in communication by wire and radio so as to make available, so far as possible, to all the people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, a rapid, efficient, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges, for the purpose of the national defense, for the purpose of promoting safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communications, and for the purpose of securing a more effective execution of this policy by centralizing authority heretofore granted by law to several agencies and by granting additional authority with respect to interstate and foreign commerce in wire and radio communication, there is created a commission to be known as the “Federal Communications Commission”, which shall be constituted as hereinafter provided, and which shall execute and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

I see nothing there that includes decency laws.

Oh dear, maybe the reason what you want is not available for free is because it is not suitable for all ages, and the law clearly says it has to be provided to all people without discrimination? Hmmmmm.

Did you read your own source?

without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex,

Show me where it says age.

[The Parkus Empire]

sure people don't want to hear it. and do you know why? Because people call it a "bad word". All it is is a stronger word that you can use to express your opinion. For example, "I am so fucking happy right now!" does that sound negative to you? mIt's alot more effective than saying, " I am really happy right now!" And if you put it the other way, " I fucking hate exams" sounds stronger than 'I hate exams."

Blatant discussion of sex on T.V. is alright, just not saying: "Ow, I hurt my fucking toe!"

[Katganistan]

Isn't censorship against our right to freedom of speech anyway?

Not if they insult someone, silly! Filth^tm is the ultimate evil and banned in the US Constitution! Somewhere. Right beside the right to keep foreigners out of our beautiful country!

Can you walk into any newstand and buy Playboy, Hustler, and other skin mags?
Can you walk into any video store and buy porn?
Can you pay for a subscription to an adult channel?

Then it's not censored or banned, is it?

I'm talking about T.V., not magazines. And the government should not be able to tell us what to say.

Well they can, in limited circumstances. Because if you incite a mob to start a riot, your words will land you in jail. If you yell fire in a theater and cause a panic, your words will land you in jail. If you broadcast that you will pay someone a million dollars to assassinate someone, and they try, you will end up in jail.

Therefore, there is a legal limit on "free speech".
Again, you can buy it. The taxpayers are not expected to pay for adult content for you. No oppression occurs. If you're over 21 and have money you can get what you want.

[Morsion]

I think censorship should be banned, yes there should be ratings and mature content warnings, but America is WAY to PC as it is.

don't believe me? Here's an example: A new American pie movie comes out, the commercial for said movie has censored breasts in it. The commercial proclaims "if you by this movie, they won't be censored!" be go out and by the movie because of the breasts, because America is so pc that:

in Washington, in the city of Everett, there are "bikini baristas" roadside stands you can go to and get served coffee but a young woman in a bikini; should be innocent enough, after all, girls go to the beach in bikinis all the time, and yes, sometimes the girls in the stands are wearing regular bras, but still, its basically the same. Now, these stands have been resticted a whole lot because of parents complaining they don't won't there kids seeing this. In fact some parents don't want their DAUGHTERS seeing this, despite the fact that in about 10 years she'll have ones of her own she can look at, without any kind of covering, all she wants.

If people were not so obsessed with rallying behind the "don't corrupt the children" banner, they'd realize that if the children see this kind of stuff earlier, throughout their whole lives, they probly wouldn't be so obsessed with it once they finally got to school and had their schoolmates tell them all about it.

and yes, school IS where I myself got corrupted =P

[Conserative Morality]

How is it hypocrisy? I am sure a majority of people would agree that "fuck" is a swear word. Out of this majority, there are plenty that use it themselves, but limit it to certain circumstances, such as when there are no eight year olds around. You can't control when the TV says it.

You can't? Haven't I mentioned not leaving the TV on and laying around 24/7?

[New Limacon]

sure people don't want to hear it. and do you know why? Because people call it a "bad word".

Well, yes, that's how most words acquire meaning, by people deciding what they mean.

All it is is a stronger word that you can use to express your opinion. For example, "I am so fucking happy right now!" does that sound negative to you? mIt's alot more effective than saying, " I am really happy right now!" And if you put it the other way, " I fucking hate exams" sounds stronger than 'I hate exams."

In time, I think most people will agree with you. But right now, it is still profane.

[Katganistan]

Most T.V. stations would still censor their material without the influence of the FCC.

True. Because if they offend their customers (aka viewers), the customers will go elsewhere. The customers will also boycott the advertisers paying for the programming that viewers found offensive. It's happened before.

[The Parkus Empire]

How is it hypocrisy? I am sure a majority of people would agree that "fuck" is a swear word. Out of this majority, there are plenty that use it themselves, but limit it to certain circumstances, such as when there are no eight year olds around. You can't control when the TV says it.

I avoid using it near eight-year-olds, too. Though, recalling my childhood, they certainly use the word themselves when adults aren't around.

Anyway, eight-year-olds don't buy televisions.

[United Russian State]

I am in favor. Any modern civilized country sould have TV under regulation.

[The Parkus Empire]

True. Because if they offend their customers (aka viewers), the customers will go elsewhere. The customers will also boycott the advertisers paying for the programming that viewers found offensive. It's happened before.

So TV will still be pretty safe without the FCC.